Up for sale, a 1998 Gibson Nighthawk Custom CST-2 in near-mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. An uncommon and relatively short-lived (1992-99) Gibson offering crafted during the “good wood” era of Gibson production, the Nighthawk Custom CST-2 features an M-Series mini humbucker at the neck with an M-Series Special Slanted humbucker at the bridge, with coil tapping available via the five-way pickup selector. With a longer 25 1/2“ scale length, gold-plated hardware, a bound ebony fingerboard with crown inlays, and a stunning flame maple top with a gloss Fireburst nitro lacquer finish, teh Nighthawk Custom CST-2 is a standout. This Nighthawk was also ordered by Gibson’s Japanese distributor Yamano; Gibson’s USA-made guitars distributed via Yamano are often considered to be among their absolute best, featuring the highest quality woods picked for Gibson’s discerning Japanese audience.

Featherweight at 6lbs 13oz, tonewoods include a mahogany body, maple top, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard, woods that mirror a Les Paul Custom. The M-Series pickups offer a surprisingly wide array of tonalities: the Special Slanted humbucker at the bridge is focused and aggressive with a pronounced upper-midrange hump, while the mini humbucker in the neck position is sweet and articulate. Additionally, the five-way pickup selector offers coil tapping functionality, enabling single coil-style sparkle and twang. This Nighthawk Custom CST-2 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Medium C, measuring .835” 1st fret, .990” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony, crown inlays
• Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Nut: 1 11/16”
• Tuners: Gibson Deluxe double-line
• Serialization: Eight-digit stamp dates to ‘98

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple, mahogany
• Pickups: M-Series Special Slanted humbucker (B), M-Series mini humbucker (N)
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Five-way blade pickup selector
• Harness: CTS pots
• Hardware: Low Profile string-through bridge
• Plastics: Amber bonnet knobs, black switch tip

The gloss Fireburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the straight, consistent flame figuring in the maple top, with just a few small dings on the back and a few faint finish scratches on top adjacent to the knobs. The smooth nitro gloss on the neck profile is flawless.

The original brown Gibson USA hardshell case is included, along with the Gibson/Yamano hangtags.